Former President Barack Obama took the stage at the University of Arizona to speak on behalf of the Harris-Walz campaign, drawing a parallel between two prominent figures in American politics, the late Sen. John McCain and former President Donald Trump.
NBC News reported that while addressing a large gathering, Obama commended McCain for his principled approach to politics while criticizing Trump's apparent disregard for similar values.
During his speech, Obama shared personal reflections on his former political adversary, John McCain, leaving out the many attacks that Democrats unfairly lobbed at McCain during the 2008 presidential election.
He was quick to underline his respect for McCain’s values and his commitment to robust, yet respectful, political dialogue. Speaking in Tucson, Obama recalled the late senator as a man who transcended partisan lines.
All of this ignored the vicious attacks that Obama and the Democrat Party threw at McCain all those years ago. Today, McCain is a useful figure because of his opposition for Trump but prior to that, there was no love between Obama and the late John McCain.
Obama reminisced about an episode from the 2008 presidential race when McCain countered a false assertion by a voter regarding Obama’s character.
McCain’s defense, “No, ma’am, he’s a decent family man,” was highlighted by Obama to exemplify McCain’s integrity and fairness in political discourse. This moment not only marked a significant chapter in the campaign but also reflected the kind of leadership Obama praised.
Obama contrasted this with Trump, whose rhetoric and policies have been divisive. He reminded attendees of an incident during a 2015 Trump rally where McCain was labeled a “loser” over his military service. This particular incident has been a point of contention, especially in light of McCain’s reputation as a war hero.
As the rally progressed, Obama discussed the wider implications of Trump’s presidential conduct. He criticized Trump’s attempts to undermine democratic values, suggesting that such actions stood in stark contrast to what McCain represented.
Obama pointedly remarked on the disturbing shift in political culture since Trump’s electoral rise, which he said, veered away from the principles upheld by McCain and similar leaders.
Obama’s visit coincided with a targeted effort by Harris to draw in a newly recognized group in Arizona—the “McCain Republicans.”
This bloc has emerged as a key demographic with the potential to sway the 2024 elections, given their historical shift in allegiance during the 2020 elections. Trump had won Arizona in 2016 but lost in the following election, highlighting the evolving political landscape there.
Harris had already made strides in reaching out to this group by lauding McCain's historical actions.
Notably, she highlighted his crucial role in saving the Affordable Care Act, a signature policy achievement of the Obama administration. Her acknowledgment of McCain’s decisive vote was intended to resonate with voters who valued his bipartisan efforts.
Obama reiterated this sentiment, underscoring that Trump’s continuous efforts to dismantle the Affordable Care Act were ultimately unsuccessful due to McCain’s intervention. McCain’s action, Obama stated, was emblematic of his dedication to serving the public good over partisan gain.
